The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-03-03

AsSssSVV - II w psVsWs AVNA correspondent No.
just returned from restful. beautiful DeFuniak
Springs, where he has been enjoying the assem-
blage Of his brother teachers in their annual
institute, and the delightful Chsutauqua exer.
cises and instructive % well as amusing lectures.
We had most instructive series Of lectures on
&c school management and the Functions of
the Public School" from that complete and
full man and educator, Professor W. Harold
Payne of the University Of Michigan. These
lectures were fraught with practical and much
needed instruction TO % who are engaged in
the work Of the school, and were greatly ap-
preciated.
We had lectures also from Professor Taylor
upon the studying and teaching Of history,
novel and most interesting method q lecture
from Bishop Galloway, Of the n. E. Church,
South, on the need of the public schools and the
demand for them, a towering and beautiful argu-
ment So many were the lecturers and lectures
that space will not allow US to mention all, suf-
fee it to say there was fountain Of information
drawn from painstaking study and long expert
ence opened to us and doubtless every attentive
teacher will return TO his work better prepared
than ever before.
There were present altogether about 225 teach
ers representing % counties, and 16 county
superintendent and . host OF visitors and
friends of the cause.
The exhibit of school work would have done
credit to any State from schools of the same
grade. The excellency of work from Escambia
and Duval counties was 50 close in quality that
a rumor was afoat that the judges were In
strait to decide between them, and it was
thought the prize 80 generously offered by the
Chautauqua authorities would be equally divid-
ed between them. Altogether the session as de-
lightful, profitable and enjoyable great disap-
pointment was experienced, however, bee ause of
the impossibility of the coming of Governor
Perry. Our State Superintendent however,
spoke of and for him on opening day, and paid
glowing tribute to his chief as the avowed and
ardent friend of the public schools, especially
when they reached the masses and the children
of the poor
The introduction of "Chautauqua" into our
State calls for the applause and support of all
our people, religious intelligence, reading an d
study, cultivating reverence and love Of God
and man In all its exercises, is it's sole and ex-
allied aim, and its influence cannot be stayed by
local limit or circumstance, but is destined to
permeate and pro6tably affect the whole State.
The reading circles and local societies, organ
lied under its influences in very many localities,
are calculated to supplant the pernicious matter
with which the country has been flooded and
which has been steadily poisoning the hearts
and minds of the people, especially the young,
| by substituting the wholesome books and studies
| selected for Chautauquan reading and study,
| mellowing the whole with refining, religious
influence and tendency
Our teachers unanimously and heartily voted
their thanks to Colonel W. D. Chipley and Dr.
A. H. Gillett for their earnest zeal in their in
terest and comfort, in all the arrangements
made for the Institute, and return to their work
refreshed and invigorated, with increased knowl-
edge and experience, through which their re-
| spectve schools will doubtless gain far more
than they have lost. because Of the few days the
| schools have been closed.
The Institute being closed the Chautauqua
exerci ses are continued, and the fail programme
as her etofore published will be carried out The
attendance is very large and all are admirably
and instructively entertained. Yours,
| TEACHER.